SHILLONG: In a major boost to Meghalaya’s agricultural sector and the region’s organic farming ecosystem, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated the Organic Spice Industrial Unit (PRIME-HUB), the largest organic spice processing facility in the North East, at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi district.
The state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in Meghalaya’s efforts to transform agriculture into a high-value enterprise and strengthen market linkages for farmers. Developed as part of the state government’s long-term strategy to support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the project is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding organic spice production and exports from the region.
The foundation stone for the project was laid by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on August 9, 2024. Less than two years later, the facility has become fully operational, reflecting what state officials described as a focused and time-bound approach to agricultural infrastructure development.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, senior government officials, farmer representatives, and stakeholders from the agriculture and food processing sectors. Dignitaries highlighted Meghalaya’s emergence as a centre for agro-industrial innovation and regional economic cooperation in the North East.
Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman praised the leadership of Chief Minister Sangma and noted that Ri-Bhoi was rapidly evolving from an aspirational district into a model for agricultural transformation in the country.
Drawing comparisons with similar value-addition initiatives across India, the Finance Minister said the quality standards and operational processes established at the facility could serve as a benchmark for the nation. She added that the project demonstrates how targeted investments, institutional partnerships, and convergence financing can generate meaningful grassroots development.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s growing prominence in the organic spice market, Sitharaman said the state enjoys a unique advantage because its agricultural products are rooted in traditional ecological knowledge, community-based farming systems, and natural cultivation practices.
“With the global certified organic ginger market expected to approach USD 7 billion by 2030, Meghalaya is positioned as a premium origin that international buyers are actively seeking,” she said, adding that the state’s organic spice economy commands higher value because of the trust associated with its products.
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Linking the achievement to the vision of Viksit Bharat, she stated that the growth of Meghalaya’s farming sector would contribute significantly to the development of the North East and the nation as a whole.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the facility as a game-changing development for the agricultural community. He thanked the Union Finance Minister for her support towards grassroots initiatives and said the state government had spent the past eight years focusing on improving farmers’ livelihoods through financial assistance, capacity building, and enhanced market access.
Sangma revealed that Meghalaya now has 11 such functional processing units. With each unit supporting around 5,000 people, nearly 55,000 individuals have already benefited from these interventions.
He also underscored the growing collaboration among North Eastern states, attributing it to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The Northeast is advancing in step with the rest of the country, and every single citizen is part of the growth story,” he said.
The Organic Spice Industrial Unit has been developed with an investment of ₹30 crore and is designed to process more than 10,000 metric tonnes of organic spices annually. The facility is expected to directly benefit approximately 5,500 farmers across 112 villages, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and improving income generation.
The project has been implemented through a partnership involving the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company (FPC), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project.
During the event, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between private sector partners and the Farmer Producer Company. Representatives of the FPC also presented a memorandum to the Union Finance Minister seeking support for a food processing unit and continued organic certification initiatives.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong highlighted that Meghalaya is home to more than 4.5 lakh farming households. He said the facility would empower local communities by enabling farmers to process, package, and market their products more effectively, thereby creating employment opportunities and strengthening rural economies.
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Dr. Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Planning, Investment Promotion and Sustainable Development Department, said the project could increase farmers’ incomes by as much as 50 percent while opening access to international markets. He described the initiative as a model community public-private partnership capable of driving cooperative-led and export-oriented agricultural growth.
With over 70 percent of Meghalaya’s population dependent on agriculture and allied activities for livelihoods, the facility arrives at a time when the state is increasingly investing in technology-driven farming and value-addition infrastructure.
The launch of the PRIME-HUB facility is widely seen as a testament to the state’s efforts to combine visionary governance, structured planning, and collaborative partnerships. As Meghalaya continues to champion organic farming and sustainable development, the new processing plant is expected to serve as a farmer-centric model for agricultural transformation across the North East and beyond.
